Editor

Description:

Company: New Jersey Hills Media Group

Job Title: Editor

Workplace Location: Whippany, New Jersey

Workplace Type: Primarily in-office, with some flexibility to work remotely on occasion

About The Company: New Jersey Hills Media Group is a mission-driven, nonprofit-owned provider of journalism that connects communities. We are the premier local news source for 51 towns across Essex, Hunterdon, Morris and Somerset counties. Our company mission is to engage and inform the towns we serve with community-driven, professional and fact-based news and feature reporting that inspires civic participation and strengthens democracy. Our 13 publications are delivered through websites updated every day, daily newsletters, social media, and weekly newspapers. Learn more at newjerseyhills.com.

As a nonprofit organization, we prioritize community impact over profit, reinvesting all of our resources into quality journalism that serves the public good.

About The Role: The editor will support our managing editor and our news team of approximately 15 editors and reporters who gather and distribute news content through 13 publications online seven days per week and through printed weekly newspapers. In this nonprofit environment, you'll have the opportunity to focus entirely on journalistic excellence and community service, working with a team that values community impact. You will partner with the managing editor to share the workload of quality assuring news gathering, production and distribution on daily deadlines. The editor will be deputy to the managing editor, working across the news team — not assigned to specific publications, and will report directly to the managing editor.

Key responsibilities include:

• Editing all articles in collaboration with the managing editor, before they are published online, and all printed pages before they are sent to the printer

• Sourcing, uploading, digitally packaging and preparing for print content from syndication partners and press releases

• Developing and implementing AI-assisted new methods of coverage of local government and school board meetings using public videos and documents

• Hands-on quality assurance of content packaging online and in email newsletters, and ensuring all deadlines are met, in collaboration with the managing editor and the production manager

• Filling in for publication editors when they are unavailable (e.g. when editors take vacations or sick days)

Critical Qualities and Skills Required:

• Journalism Experience and Enthusiasm: The ideal candidate for this role is a current or former New Jersey local news editor with a passion for the business. We are most interested in hearing from curious local news editors proficient in editing and packaging content for digital and print distribution and based in our coverage area. We are looking for candidates who are excited about local news and providing local town residents with essential knowledge and compelling stories that help them to be informed about and engaged in their communities. 

• Editing and Quality Assurance: Thorough, efficient copy editor, knowledgeable of AP style, able to share weekday and weekend editing responsibilities with the managing editor. Strong editorial judgement and attention to detail.
  
  

• Flexibility: Comfortable taking on a variety of responsibilities, and supporting colleagues across the business, in a collaborative, open-office environment. Prepared to develop a collaborative partnership with the managing editor that includes stepping in to provide support with team leadership and coaching when needed.
  
  

• Technical Proficiency: Proficient using digital content management systems (we use Blox), including print and email integrations with InDesign and Constant Contact. Capable and comfortable with using AI to increase newsroom efficiency.

• Workflow Expertise: Proven track record of quality assuring multi-channel distribution of staff-authored, syndicated and freelance content.
  
  

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred

• 3-5 years of experience as a local news editor; digital experience required, a combination of both digital and print experience preferred
  
  

Compensation: Compensation reflects our nonprofit model and is commensurate with experience. We seek candidates who share our values-driven approach to local news.

What We Offer:

• Mission-driven newsroom where your work directly impacts community wellbeing

• Opportunities to participate in shaping our digital transformation

• The potential to transition into a publication editor role should such an opportunity arise

• Paid time off — 10 vacation days in year one (plus increases based on tenure), five sick days, eight company holidays

• Health insurance and dental coverage

• 401K plan

• Small team environment with long-term organizational growth potential

• Opportunities for professional development and industry networking events

How To Apply: Ideal candidates are experienced editors who value mission over maximum compensation and are energized by the opportunity to contribute to impactful journalism in a nonprofit environment. We encourage applications from candidates who meet most of our requirements, even if not all. We're seeking to fill this position by the end of 2025. Please email your resume and a cover letter explaining how you’re a match for the role and why nonprofit journalism appeals to you to our CEO and Publisher, Joe Territo, jterrito@newjerseyhills.com.

New Jersey Hills Media Group is an equal opportunity employer, and we value a diverse workforce. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.